Dagpo Shedrup Ling
Dagpo Shedrup Ling is a Tibetan Buddhist monastic university established in southeastern Tibet in the mid-15th century. It was founded by Lodrö Tenpa (1402-1476) at the behest of the great teacher Je Tsongkhapa (1357-1419). For centuries, until 1959, the gradual path to enlightenment was taught, studied and practiced, as recorded by Je Tsongkhapa in the Lamrim Chenmo. In this work, the entire teachings of the Buddha are presented in an orderly fashion. The complete teaching is always passed on from teacher to student.
1959 flight from Tibet
In 1959 there were about 700 monks studying in the monastic university. Unfortunately due to the invasion of the Chinese in Tibet, the monastery could no longer function. Many monks had to leave Tibet in 1959 (and afterwards). After many difficult years, thanks to the unwavering support of the Venerable Dagpo Rinpochee, the monastic university has found a new home in Kais in the Kullu Valley in India.
*For more about the history of the monastery and its details click here.
In 2021
Buddhism is popular today. Many elements of what the Buddha taught can be found in books and courses that are given everywhere to contribute to the well-being of people. The uniqueness of Dagpo Shedrup Ling is that the entire teaching of the Buddha, the complete path to the ultimate happiness of enlightenment, is studied and practiced purely and in its entirety. This makes it an exceptional place.
In the monastery, more than one hundred and eighty monks now study according to the methods and traditions, such as those from the middle of the 15e century and that originally came from the Buddha.
More than a monastery
For the refugee Tibetans who now live near the monastery in various settlements, the monastery is an important link to their culture and religion. But also for many people from the West and from other Asian countries who have come into contact with the Dagpo traditions, often through the Venerable Dagpo Rinpochee, the monastery is an important foundation and support for their spiritual education and their development path.
We hope that it can live on for a very long time and that the Lamrim (or Dagpo) traditions can be preserved and shared with all who are interested in them into the very distant future. This makes a significant contribution to greater peace and well-being in the world.
What is needed?
The monastery needs a good accommodation. We want to take care of that. The terrain on which the buildings stand is varied in composition and consists of rock, but mainly of pebbles, sand and clay. Due to poor drainage, soil is washed away and there is a high risk of instability. The foundations of all buildings are not designed for this, partly because earthquake-resistant construction has to be done here. The buildings are already showing signs of decay such as many cracks and fissures. In addition to the lack of heating and cooling, there is also insufficient ventilation, which means that mold is visible in many places. All in all, there are serious fundamental problems that need to be addressed quickly.
We want to improve the buildings and the condition of the grounds in such a way that they are a safe and sustainable shelter in which the monks of the monastic university can focus all their attention on their study and practice.
The big project
In 2005, Reverend Dagpo Rinpochee's greatest wish was fulfilled. A long-term project, the relocation of the Dagpo Shedrup Ling Monastery from temporary shelter in the Tibetan settlement of Mainpat in Central India to Kaïs in the Kullu Valley in Northwest India, became a reality. With this he secured the unique Dagpo traditions and in a place that is also accessible to visitors from all over the world.
Of course, Reverend Dagpo Rinpochee also hopes that problems with the buildings will be solved as quickly as possible in a sustainable ecological way. For the monks and for TWF, the advice Reverend Dagpo Rinpochee gives us is very valuable. The most important advice for the moment is: tackle the issues that need to be addressed as quickly as possible and then proceed step by step with what is feasible until the desired end result is achieved.
